2026 NFL Free Agent Running Backs: Predicting Which Teams Sign Kenneth Walker, Travis Etienne, More

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2026 NFL Free Agent Running Backs: Predicting Which Teams Sign Kenneth Walker, Travis Etienne, More

Matt Johnson · Sportsnaut

Fri, Mar 6, 2026 ·

5 min read

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If you want to know what the National Football League thinks about the pool of running backs outside of Jeremiyah Love in the 2026 NFL Draft, keep an eye on free agency. Running backs are poised to cash in very soon, with clubs all eyeing veteran ball-carriers on the open market as their best bet to upgrade at the position for the 2026 NFL season.

Let's dive into our predictions for where the top NFL free agent running backs sign this offseason.

Travis Etienne : Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs would probably love to get their hands on Jeremiyah Love. However, he might not make it to the ninth overall pick, and there are far more pressing needs defensively. Besides, we think Brett Veach dips into NFL free agency to snag his starting running back. Travis Etienne Jr., coming off a season with 1,399 scrimmage yards and 13 touchdowns, provides that explosive playmaking ability that this Chiefs offense needs. He is also a capable receiver out of the backfield. A two-year deal should work for both sides, with Etienne providing the spark Kansas City 's rushing attack lacked in the last two years.

Tyler Allgeier : Denver Broncos

NFL Free Agent Running Backs 2026 — Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

In his rookie season, R.J. Harvey averaged just 3.4 yards per carry in the final seven regular-season games. It is not all that surprising that Nick Kosmider of The Athletic reported that the Denver Broncos will "closely examine" the NFL free agent running backs this offseason. The team will not have to break the bank to sign Tyler Allgeier, but he can provide a nice complementary skillset to Harvey's role on passing downs. Allgeier gets paid, and he also will run behind one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, making this an ideal fit for both parties.

Rico Dowdle : Las Vegas Raiders

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak stated that he will have a committee backfield in 2026, so the team needs to find a tandem partner for Ashton Jeanty . Rico Dowdle probably isn't going to find any opportunities to be a featured back, but he could prove to be a nice fit for what Kubiak wants to do. Dowdle has averaged 4.6 yards per carry over the last two seasons and he ranked 11th in yards created (964) in 2025. With all the money Las Vegas wants to spend on building a solid supporting cast around Fernando Mendoza, we believe that Dowdle fits the price range of what the Raiders are looking for, and he will pair nicely with Jeanty.

Kenneth Gainwell : Washington Commanders

The Washington Commanders are expected to splurge in NFL free agency this spring, and we would expect running back to be one of the positions where the money goes. Kenneth Gainwell is one of the most underrated running backs in the NFL and is coming off a campaign with career highs in rushing yards (537), yards per carry (4.7) and scrimmage yards (1,023). Gainwell is an exceptional pass-catcher out of the backfield, something the Washington offense benefited from having when Austin Ekeler was healthy. Gainwell is a better, younger version of that, and signing him means the Commanders would not need to use their top pick on Jeremiyah Love.

Rachaad White : Arizona Cardinals

With the Arizona Cardinals releasing Kyler Murray and likely needing to spend money on a new starter, there will not be as much money to spend on the running back position. Fortunately for Mike LaFleur, there are still a few viable options on the open market. Rachaad White is a proven three-down back — 2,656 rushing yards, 3.9 yards per carry and 1,450 receiving yards on 205 receptions in the last four seasons — so he could comfortably slide in as Arizona's starter. Plus, signing him still leaves the door open for Trey Benson to earn a role if he can stay healthy and White proves to be better as a committee ball-carrier.

J.K. Dobbins: Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans are another one of the teams picking in the top 10 who have been tied to Jeremiyah Love. It is probably true that Robert Saleh and Brian Daboll want to find more options at running back, but it is worth keeping in mind that Tony Pollard averaged 93.3 rushing yards per game in the final six weeks of the 2025 NFL season. What we could see happening is Tennessee rolling the dice on J.K. Dobbins. Durability has long been an issue for him, as evidenced by the fact he has played in just 32 games over the last five seasons. When healthy, though, Dobbins has averaged 5.2 yards per carry in that span. Tennessee could bring him in as a 1a with Pollard as the 1b, while knowing they can increase Pollard's workload if Dobbins gets hurt again.

Read More: 2026 NFL Mock Draft

Kenneth Walker III : New York Giants

Where there is smoke, there is fire. All of the buzz connecting the New York Giants to the top running backs, both in NFL free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft class, seems real. If they are going to make a move, the best fit would seem to be a tandem of Kenneth Walker III and Cam Skattebo . There is a reason the Seattle Seahawks never made Walker their featured running back: he was too inconsistent, and there were issues with effectiveness and durability when given a larger workload. However, he is perfect as an explosive ball-carrier when paired with someone who complements his skills and can take some of the workload off his shoulders. With Skattebo on a rookie contract for the next three seasons and Jaxson Dart under similar terms for the next four years, the Giants can afford to pay Walker $13 million per year.

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